PJ Jones is a survivor, author, and trauma-informed life coach dedicated to empowering others through resilience and healing. Overcoming a painful past, PJ transformed adversity into purpose, helping individuals reframe their stories and reclaim their strength. As the founder of Soulful Resilience Journey, PJ provides coaching, resources, and events to support healing and empowerment. Their mission: No survivor left unheard.
PJ Jones, Life Coach, Podcast Host
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life so we can get to know you better.
I am PJ Jones, a woman who was silenced for far too long. My story is not just one of survival but of resilience, defiance, and an unyielding fight to reclaim my voice.
From a young age, life taught me that the world wasn’t always safe. I endured things no child should ever have to face: abuse, neglect, and a reality that made me question my worth. The very people who should have protected me became the ones who caused the most harm, leaving me to navigate a world that felt cold and unforgiving. My voice was stolen before I even understood its power, and for years, I carried my pain in silence, believing I had to bear it alone.
But something inside me refused to break.
I spent years trapped in cycles of trauma, weighed down by shame, self-doubt, and fear, believing the lies that I wasn’t enough, that I wasn’t worthy of love or healing. There were moments when the darkness felt too heavy, when I questioned if I would ever find a way out. But even in those moments, a spark remained. A whisper inside me refused to let me give up.
That whisper became a roar.
Through years of personal work, healing, and refusing to let my past define my future, I began to reframe my pain into power. I sought knowledge, trained in trauma-informed practices, and became an NLP-certified coach not just to heal myself but to help others do the same.
That journey led me to create Soulful Resilience Journey, a space where survivors like me can find their own strength and reclaim their voices. It led me to launch The Fearless and Flourishing Women’s Summit, where women who have overcome adversity can share their stories and uplift one another. I began sharing my truth through my podcast, Insights of a Survivor; my YouTube channel, Empowered Voices: Finding Strength in Survivors; and my book, A Place to Belong by Pari Jasper, all with the mission of reaching those who feel alone in their pain.
But my story isn’t just about trauma; it’s also about love.
I am a mother of three, though my heart carries the weight of loss. My oldest son passed away at just 19 years old, a pain no mother should ever have to endure. That loss nearly broke me, but I had people who refused to let me fall. My husband, the man who has stood by my side for a decade, was there in my darkest moments. When I almost made a decision that would have changed everything, he pulled me back and reminded me that I still had a reason to fight.
I am also a grandmother, a Nami to the most beautiful, spirited four-year-old girl. She is my light, my reminder of all the good that still exists in this world. I help my son, a single father, raise her, and through that, I see strength repeating itself in the next generation. Family is everything to me. It is the anchor that keeps me grounded, the force that fuels my passion for healing, for advocating, for making sure that no one else has to feel as alone as I once did.
Beyond my work, I find joy in the simple things: cooking meals that bring people together, taking long walks to clear my mind, pouring my emotions into writing, and traveling to places that remind me just how big and beautiful life can be.
But above all, my greatest passion is this journey of healing, advocacy, and my mission to amplify the voices of those who have been silenced. My past may have shaped me, but it does not define me. I define me. And now, I stand for others, just as others once stood for me.
For those still searching for their way out of the darkness, I see you. I hear you. And I will continue to stand, speak, and fight so that no one else has to walk this journey alone.
Your journey has been one of immense resilience. What was the turning point that led you to pursue trauma-informed coaching?
A few years ago, I found myself at the lowest point in my life, emotionally drained, overwhelmed, and barely holding on. The weight of everything I had survived felt unbearable, and for the first time, I stood at a crossroads where the pain seemed louder than the hope. I almost made a decision that would have changed everything for the people I loved, a choice that would have left behind nothing but heartbreak, and my husband stopped me from making a huge mistake. In that moment of desperation, I reached for help, not knowing if anything could truly pull me back. That’s when I started therapy, hoping for relief, but what I found was something even more transformative.
My therapist didn’t just listen; she guided. Her approach wasn’t just about processing the past; it was about reframing my pain, shifting my perspective, and giving me the tools to take back control of my emotions. It was more of a coaching style, and for the first time, I wasn’t just surviving; I was learning how to heal in a way that empowered me. Through that process, I realized that the emotions I thought I had overcome were still shaping my life. But instead of drowning in them, I learned techniques to navigate them, to break free from the cycles that had kept me trapped for so long. That experience saved my life, and it also lit a fire within me. I knew then that I wanted to do the same for others. I didn’t just want to heal; I wanted to help others reclaim their power, to show them that they, too, could rewrite their story. That’s what led me to trauma-informed coaching, and it has become my purpose to stand in the gap for others the way someone once stood in the gap for me.
How do you help survivors break free from their past and step into their power through the Soulful Resilience Journey?
I help survivors break free from their past by guiding them through a deeply personal and transformative journey, one that moves beyond just talking about trauma and into real, lasting change. At Soulful Resilience Journey, I create a space where survivors feel truly seen, heard, and validated, something many have never experienced before. My work isn’t about just revisiting pain; it’s about reframing it, shifting from “Why did this happen to me?” to “How can I reclaim my life and power?”
One of the first things I do is help clients recognize the hidden patterns that keep them stuck. Trauma often leaves behind deep-rooted beliefs that they’re not worthy, that they’ll never be free, that they’re too broken to heal. Through NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) techniques, guided self-reflection, and empowerment exercises, I help them uncover and challenge those limiting beliefs. We work on shifting their mindset, breaking the cycles of self-doubt, fear, and shame that have kept them trapped for years.
I also teach survivors emotional regulation techniques to help them manage overwhelming feelings in real time. Many of my clients struggle with triggers, anxiety, or emotional numbness. Using grounding exercises, breathwork, somatic healing techniques, and mindfulness strategies, I show them how to regain control of their emotions instead of feeling consumed by them. This is key because healing isn’t about ignoring emotions but learning how to process them in a way that empowers rather than paralyzes.
But healing isn’t just internal; it’s about rebuilding life on their terms. I help clients step into their power by guiding them through goal-setting, confidence-building exercises, and self-worth reclamation. Many survivors have been conditioned to live in survival mode, believing they have no control over their future. I help them identify their passions, their strengths, and what they truly want in life, whether it’s healthy relationships, a fulfilling career, or simply the ability to trust themselves again. We create practical action steps so that they don’t just dream of a better life; they start actively building it.
I also work closely with grieving parents who share the unimaginable pain of losing a child. There are no words that can fully capture the depth of that grief, but I provide a space where parents can process their loss, honor their child’s memory, and find ways to move forward without guilt or shame. Through coaching, I help them navigate the overwhelming emotions that come in wave,s whether it’s anger, deep sorrow, or the feeling of being stuck between grieving and trying to live again. I help them develop coping strategies, emotional release techniques, and self-compassion practices so they can begin to heal while keeping the love for their child alive in a way that feels meaningful to them.
For those who need community, I offer group sessions and workshops where survivors connect with others who truly understand. Healing in isolation can be overwhelming, but when survivors share space with others who have walked similar paths, it fosters an unmatched level of validation and support. My retreats, like the Roots of Resilience: A Journey to Empowerment Retreat, provide immersive healing experiences that combine self-reflection, empowerment activities, and deep emotional work in a safe, nurturing environment.
At the core of everything I do, I remind survivors that they are not their trauma. They are strong, capable, and deserving of joy. My role is to walk alongside them, offering the tools, strategies, and unwavering support they need to break free from their past and step fully into their power not just as survivors but as the warriors they were always meant to be.
What inspired you to create the Fearless and Flourishing Women’s Summit and the Rise and Thrive: Empowered Voices Summit?
My summits were born out of both deep pain and unwavering purpose. They are more than just events; they are a reflection of my fight to rise above my trauma, a way to honor the resilience of survivors, and a commitment to creating a space where others can find their own strength, their own voice, and their own path forward.
The Rise and Thrive: Empowered Voices Summit, happening on January 18-19, 2025, is especially close to my heart because it’s tied to the greatest loss of my life: the loss of my son on January 24, 2017. That moment shattered me in ways I can never fully put into words. Losing a child is a pain no parent should have to bear, and for a long time, I felt trapped in that grief, in the weight of all I had endured. But as the years passed, I knew I had two choices: let my trauma and loss define me or fight to rise above it, just like my son would have wanted me to. This summit is my way of showing him that I refuse to give up, that his mother is still standing, still fighting, and still using her voice to uplift others who have been silenced by pain. Rise and Thrive is about turning pain into purpose, about survivors sharing their stories to inspire and empower. It’s a space where voices that have been ignored, dismissed, or buried under trauma can finally be heard, valued, and celebrated.
The Fearless and Flourishing Women’s Summit, happening on March 8-9, 2025, was created to honor the strength, resilience, and power of women, especially those who have endured, overcome, and transformed their pain into something greater. Women are often expected to carry so much trauma, expectations, and responsibilities without ever being given the space to heal, grow, and reclaim themselves. I wanted to create a summit where women could stand in their truth without fear, where they could break free from the limitations placed on them and fully flourish. The timing of this event is no coincidence; it aligns with International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month because I believe survivors deserve to be part of that history. Their stories, their journeys, and their voices matter, and this summit is a way to elevate them, celebrate them, and remind every woman that she is worthy of stepping into her power.
And then there’s the Costa Rica Summit in July 2025, an extension of this same mission but taken to a whole new level. This event was born from the idea that healing isn’t just about conversation; it’s about experience, about immersion, about allowing yourself to fully step away from the weight of everyday life and reconnect with who you truly are. I chose Costa Rica because nature has a way of healing us, of reminding us that we are part of something bigger. This summit is about giving survivors the space to breathe, reflect, and step into their power in an environment that fosters transformation. It’s about community, connection, and finding the courage to release what no longer serves us so we can move forward lighter, freer, and stronger.
Each of these summits comes from my own lived experience, from the moments when I felt broken and alone, when I questioned if I could ever truly rise again. But I did. Now, I am committed to making sure that others know they can, too. These events are about healing, empowerment, and showing the world that survivors are not just victims of their past; we are warriors of our own future.
Your book, A Place to Belong, offers a deeply personal account of your journey. What message do you hope resonates most with readers?
A Place to Belong is more than just my story; it’s a reflection of so many survivors who have ever felt lost, silenced, or like they didn’t fit anywhere in the world. When I wrote this book, I didn’t just want to share my pain; I wanted to share the journey of reclaiming myself, of learning that I was never broken, just burdened by things that were never mine to carry.
For so long, I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere. Trauma has a way of doing that; it isolates you, makes you question your worth, your place, and whether you’ll ever feel safe in your own skin again. I know what it’s like to feel unseen, unheard, and completely alone in your pain. I know what it’s like to wonder if healing is even possible or if you’re doomed to be trapped in the weight of everything that’s happened to you. I lived in that space for far too long, and it nearly consumed me. But I found a way out.
The message that I hope resonates most with readers is this: You are not alone. You were never meant to carry this pain by yourself. And no matter what you have been through, you still belong here. The world has tried to tell survivors that their pain defines them, that they are "too much" or "too damaged" to create a meaningful life. That is a lie. You are not your trauma. You are not just the worst things that have ever happened to you. You are worthy of love, healing, and a life that feels like it belongs to you, not just a life spent surviving.
I also want readers to know that healing is not a straight path; it’s messy, painful, and sometimes, it feels like you’re going backward instead of forward. There were times when I thought I had healed, only to be knocked down by emotions I thought I had already conquered. But I kept going. Healing isn’t about never feeling pain again; it’s about learning how to hold space for it without letting it define you. It’s about choosing yourself, over and over again, even when the world tells you not to.
More than anything, I want survivors to walk away from this book knowing that they matter. That they deserve to find peace. That they are allowed to take up space. They don’t need permission to heal, dream, or build the life they were always meant to have. My journey wasn’t easy, but if my story can light the way for even one person who feels lost, then it was worth sharing. You belong. You always have.
For someone struggling to take the first step toward healing, what’s one piece of advice you would offer?
Taking the first step toward healing is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. I know because I’ve been there, standing at the edge of change, terrified of what it meant to truly face my pain. When you’ve lived in survival mode for so long, the idea of healing can feel overwhelming, even impossible. But if I could offer just one piece of advice to someone struggling to take that first step, it would be this:
You don’t have to do it all at once. Just take one small step. And then another.
Healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. And like any journey, it starts with just one decision to try. That might mean reaching out to someone you trust and saying, “I’m not okay.” It might mean journaling your feelings for the first time, even if the words don’t make sense yet. It might mean allowing yourself to finally feel something you’ve been pushing down for years. Whatever it is, let it be small, let it be gentle, but let it be real.
When I was at my lowest, the idea of “healing” felt too big, too far away. I almost didn’t believe it was possible for me. I thought I had to have it all figured out before I could even begin. But what I’ve learned is that healing doesn’t require you to be ready; it just requires you to be willing. Willing to take that first shaky step, willing to believe just a little that things can be different.
And if you’re afraid, that’s okay. Healing is scary. It forces you to face things you’ve spent years avoiding. But here’s something I want you to hold onto: You are not weak for struggling. You are not broken because you hurt. And you are absolutely not alone. There are people who will walk this journey with you. You don’t have to carry it all by yourself.
Most of all, be kind to yourself as you start this process. There is no timeline for healing. Some days will feel lighter, and others will feel unbearable. But if you just keep taking one step at a time, you will start to see the shifts. You will start to feel the weight lift, even if it’s little by little.
So, if you’re struggling right now, I want you to do one thing: breathe. Then, remind yourself that you’ve already survived everything that tried to break you. That means you have strength inside you, even if you can’t feel it yet. That strength will carry you forward one small step at a time.
Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far.
My greatest career achievement isn’t just one moment; it’s the journey of resilience, defiance, and refusing to let anyone control my future.
Before I became a trauma-informed coach, before I built a platform for survivors, and before I hosted virtual summits or retreats, I had to fight for something most people take for granted: my education.
While I was in an abusive relationship, I wasn’t just discouraged from pursuing my dreams; I was actively prevented from doing so. My abuser never wanted me to go to school, never wanted me to accomplish anything that might give me independence. But I refused to let him dictate my future. I didn’t get to study like most people. I had to sneak to take the GED test, making sure he never found out. I couldn’t even have the diploma sent to my home because of the danger it would bring. I had it sent to a different address just so he wouldn’t know.
That was my first real act of rebellion. It wasn’t just about passing a test; it was about proving to myself that no matter how much someone tried to break me, I still had the power to rise.
But the journey didn’t stop there. Losing my son shattered me in ways I can’t even put into words. At the time, I was in college, trying to build a better future. But grief doesn’t wait for the perfect moment; it knocks you down and makes you question everything. I dropped out for a year because I couldn’t see a way forward. The pain was too much. The weight of everything I had been through was suffocating.
But then, I thought about my son. I thought about what he would want for me. And I knew if I gave up, if I stopped pushing forward, I would be letting my trauma win. So I went back. Through the heartbreak and the struggle, I fought my way back and graduated with my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a concentration in human services. Then, I kept going and earned my master’s degree in business administration.
Everything I’ve built my coaching, my summits, my retreats came after that. And none of it would have been possible if I hadn’t fought for my right to grow, to learn, to build something for myself. That is my greatest achievement: choosing to keep going when everything in my life tried to stop me.
So when I hosted the Rise and Thrive: Empowered Voices Summit (January 18-19, 2025), honoring my son’s legacy, or when I bring women together at the Fearless and Flourishing Women’s Summit (March 8-9, 2025), I do it knowing that every battle I fought led me here.
And when I create my in-person retreat in Costa Rica this July, it’s about something even deeper: giving people the space to break free, to heal, to find themselves beyond their trauma.
Because I know firsthand what it’s like to feel trapped, to feel like you’ll never escape, to feel like your pain defines you. But I also know what it’s like to rise. And now, I use my story to show others that no matter how impossible the fight seems, you can still reclaim your power and thrive.
If I could change one thing about the trauma-healing and coaching industry, it would be the way people assume healing follows a straight, one-size-fits-all path.
There’s this idea that if you just do X, Y, and Z, you’ll be “healed.” If you follow a certain framework, attend a few workshops, or read a few books, your pain will suddenly be gone. But healing doesn’t work that way. Healing is messy. It’s nonlinear. It’s filled with setbacks, doubts, and days where you feel like you haven’t made any progress at all. And yet, many programs and coaches try to package healing into something neat and predictable, something that fits into a checklist.
That’s why I approach my work differently. When I created Soulful Resilience Journey, I knew I didn’t want to offer a generic roadmap that ignored the real, raw struggles that survivors go through. Instead, I focus on empowerment. I help people reframe the way they see their past not as something that defines them but as something they have the power to rise above.
But healing isn’t just internal. That’s another flaw in the industry: so much emphasis is placed on mindset work, journaling, and affirmations, but what about the real-world impact of trauma? What about the grieving parents who have lost a child and don’t know how to face another day? What about the people trying to rebuild their lives after escaping abuse, struggling with finances, relationships, and self-worth? Healing isn’t just about what’s going on in your mind; it’s about reclaiming your life, your choices, and your future.
That’s why I work with grieving parents who feel like their pain will never ease. That’s why I host virtual summits and master skills courses, not just to share knowledge but to create a space where people can see that they aren’t alone. That’s why I’m taking healing beyond the screen and into real life with my retreat in Costa Rica. Sometimes, we need to physically remove ourselves from our environment to see what’s truly possible.
If I could change one thing, it would be shifting the focus from quick fixes to real, lasting transformation. Healing is not about erasing your past; it’s about learning to live beyond it. And that’s exactly what I help survivors do.
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.
There have been many moments that shaped me, but one of the most pivotal was the moment I nearly gave up on life.
A few years ago, I was at my lowest point. The weight of everything I had survived abuse, loss, trauma had become unbearable. I had spent so much of my life just trying to survive that I didn’t know what it felt like to truly live. I was exhausted. I was drowning in pain, and for the first time, I genuinely believed that the world would be better off without me.
It wasn’t just a passing thought. I had made up my mind. I was ready to make a decision that would change everything for me and for the people who loved me. That moment could have been my ending.
But somehow, through the haze of pain, I reached out for help. I started therapy, and something unexpected happened. My therapist didn’t just sit there and nod or make me relive every traumatic detail. Her approach was different; it was more like coaching. She helped me challenge my thoughts, recognize my triggers, and understand that the emotions I thought I had "gotten over" were still deeply affecting me. She gave me tools, not just words. And those tools saved my life.
That was the moment everything shifted for me. I realized that healing isn’t about forgetting your past; it’s about learning how to carry it differently. It’s about taking back control of the narrative and deciding that your trauma doesn’t get to define your future.
That experience is what led me to trauma-informed coaching. I wanted to be the person I had needed when I was at my lowest. I wanted to create spaces where survivors felt truly seen, where they weren’t just told to “move on” but were actually given the tools to do so.
That’s why I do what I do today. It’s why I host the Rise and Thrive: Empowered Voices Summit every January to show people that pain can be transformed into purpose. It’s why I created the Fearless and Flourishing Women’s Summit in March to remind women that they are stronger than they realize. It’s why I’m bringing survivors together in Costa Rica this July because sometimes, you need to step outside of everything you’ve known to see what’s truly possible.
That moment, when I almost lost myself, could have been the end of my story. Instead, it became the beginning of something so much bigger. And now, every time I help someone take their first step toward healing, I know that moment wasn’t in vain.
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